Cop gets bail after Roodepoort shooting

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Tshepo Babuseng, an unemployed resident of Durban Deep who was shot, and died on his way to hospital in the the early morning.
Picture: Motlabana Monnakgotla

Johannesburg -

A policeman accused of fatally shooting a protester was granted bail in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

The officer, who cannot be named because an identity parade has not been conducted, was granted R5 000 bail.

He is one of four police officers who were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of the protester, but is the only one who has been charged with murder.

Prosecutor Una van der Schyff said on Monday that charges of defeating the ends of justice were being investigated against three police officers.

Tshepo Babuseng, 28, was shot dead, allegedly by a policeman, after residents of Durban Deep, Roodepoort, barricaded roads with stones and burning tyres on Thursday during a protest over a lack of housing.

Durban Deep Community spokesman Anton Mankgabe said afterwards the residents were disappointed that the officer had been granted bail.

“We are frustrated, we did not expect this. All the reasons that were given in court do not make sense,” he said.

Mankgabe alleged people saw the officer shoot Babuseng.

“For the sake of peace in the community, he was not supposed to get bail,” he said. - Sapa